Capture of Saint Vincent

Part of the Anglo-French War

Date	16–18 June 1779
Location	Saint Vincent, West Indies
Result	French victory

Belligerents

France

Great Britain

Commanders and leaders

Comte D'Estaing
Charles Marie de Trolong du Rumain
Joseph Chatoyer

Valentine Morris
George Etherington

Strength

1 frigate
2 corvettes
2 sloops
300–500 regulars and militia
800 local Black Caribs

464 Royal American Regiment infantry (252 listed as fit for duty)

Casualties and losses

none reported
82 men lost by shipwreck

2 merchant ships captured
422 men captured

The Capture of Saint Vincent was a French invasion that took place between 16 and 18 June 1779 during the Anglo-French War. A French force commander named Charles Marie de Trolong du Rumain landed on the island of Saint Vincent in the West Indies and quickly took over much of the British-controlled part of the island, assisted by local Black Caribs who held the northern part of the island.

British Governor Valentine Morris and military commander Lieutenant Colonel George Etherington disagreed on how to react and ended up surrendering without significant resistance. Both leaders were subjected to inquiries over the surrender. The period of French control began by capturing the island, which resulted in a solidified Black Carib control over northern parts of the island. The area remained under Carib control until the Second Carib War of 1795.

Following the entry of France into the American War of Independence as an American ally in early 1778, French Admiral the Comte d'Estaing arrived in the West Indies in early December 1778 in command of a fleet consisting of 12 ships of the line and a number of smaller vessels. At about the same time a British fleet under Admiral William Hotham also arrived, augmenting the fleet of Admiral Samuel Barrington. The British then captured French-held St. Lucia, despite d'Estaing's attempt at relief. The British used St. Lucia to monitor the major French base at Martinique, where d'Estaing was headquartered.

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